Closer to Paradise: A Mother’s Journey through Crisis and Healing by Amy White

"Closer to Paradise: A Mother’s Journey through Crisis and Healing tells the story of how my teenaged son nosedived into a suicidal crisis. And how I became a Caregiver overnight. My initial attempts to partner with my son’s treatment team were met with blaming and shaming, complicating the already difficult task of keeping my son alive. I had to learn the hard way how to navigate the complex maze of the behavioral health care system. During this situation, I learned how to not only survive but also to thrive, even as what happened broke me wide open. In the end, I found healing as a result of these painful and terrifying experiences, even as my world was crashing down around me."

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As a mother, while reading Closer to Paradise: A Mother's Journey through Crisis and Healing, I often asked myself what I would have done if I had been in Amy’s position. The roller coaster ride of the health care system is truly a parent’s worst nightmare come to life.

Amy has shared a very raw emotional time in her life and as she came out on the other side of her experience, she is using her experience to inspire, motivate and empower others. It is very difficult for us to accept that everything happens for a reason. But Amy is living proof that when you let go and surrender to your life’s true purpose, you will find purpose in your life. I sense that Closer to Paradise is the beginning of Amy’s journey to educate others. She's proving that a mother’s love is just a small part of the Inner Strength that it takes to be a woman. Thank you Amy for not giving up on your son or yourself and accepting the greatest gift of all, you! - Nancy Mueller ~ Empowerment Sensei

Amy White is a brilliant writer capable of drawing you into the experience of her world whether you’re a mother or not. Her book, Closer to Paradise: A Mother’s Journey through Crisis and Healing, is a valuable resource of inspiration, aspiration and connection bringing to light a difficult subject sure to help remove the silence and stigma of mental illness. Do the world a favor and share this book with everyone you know. - Line Brunet Life Coach, Speaker, Radio Host

Amy White shares a remarkable story that is difficult to believe could be true. The horror of experiencing your child battle mental illness and advocating for their care within a broken and outdated system that lacks support, is all too common for today's parents. Amy brings the emotion and exhaustion of the unfathomable moments she endured to life and as a reader, I felt compelled to turn page after page until the resolution is revealed. Closer to Paradise: A Mother's Journey through Crisis and Healing is a heartbreaking story of a parent's love and advocacy while navigating the stigma of mental illness. I, for one, am grateful for the lessons that Amy shares and absolutely am in awe of how she is using this crisis for good. Bravo Amy! - Sheila Kennedy, Executive Director of The Zebra Inc

A must read for every MOM or Parent out there that is dealing with a child or loved-one experiencing mental health challenges. This journey is heart shattering but Amy’s raw, real and heart felt words provide hope for the care-giver that is losing hope, totally exhausted and feeling there is no support. This book will support, encourage, and empathize with every family experiencing crisis." - Kim Boudreau Smith CEO Bold Radio Station & KimBSmith Inc.

Closer to Paradise: A Mother's Journey through Crisis and Healing is a sensitive and vulnerable account of Amy’s amazing journey of navigating the mental health industry with her son. She beautifully describes the moments from when she was overwhelmed while finding the appropriate treatment options through to the beautiful outcome of finding a way to love and support herself as her son regained his emotional balance. Every caregiver, especially mothers, needs to read this book to understand that there really is hope for a positive outcome. - Sue Relihan, author Metamorphosis – One Woman’s Journey to Find Serenity & Empowerment.

From a place of deep pain, intense fear, guilt, and shame, Amy rose, a mighty warrior, to not only do all that she could for her son, but to create a new life for herself. From her challenges and lessons learned, she devoted herself to helping others. Closer to Paradise: A Mother's Journey through Crisis and Healing portrays the tale of a mother’s deep love, heart-wrenching powerlessness, intense pain and single-minded desperation and determination to help her child through years of crisis and uncertainty. If you’ve ever known the heartbreak of watching helplessly as your child suffers or felt alone in trying to support a loved one, this book is for you." - Barb Klein, life coach, teacher, and author of 111 Invitations

About the Author

Amy White is an International Best-selling author, Caregiver Champion and Intuitive Life Coach who transitioned out of Corporate America to pursue her passion advocating and championing for caregivers after her personal experience supporting her teenage son through a terrifying mental health crisis.

In 2014...

Amy co-authored the International Best Seller, Bold is Beautiful Breakthrough to Business Strategies sharing her story of leaving her career to pursue her dream of coaching and advocating for parents, caregivers and those transitioning through life’s challenges and crises.

Amy is also...

a mental wellness advocate and speaker who works with parents and caregivers helping them to find the best path through the confusing and challenging maze of mental health care.

Amy lives...

in the San Francisco Bay Area with her dog Quinn and recently her son Josh has come for an extended stay. The journey continues...